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Fatal hotel fire 'a major crime' | Fatal hotel fire 'a major crime' |
(10 minutes later) | |
The fire which destroyed a Cornish hotel is being treated as a major crime by police. | The fire which destroyed a Cornish hotel is being treated as a major crime by police. |
One man died in the blaze at the Penhallow Hotel in Newquay on Saturday and police believe two people still missing also perished in the blaze. | One man died in the blaze at the Penhallow Hotel in Newquay on Saturday and police believe two people still missing also perished in the blaze. |
A police spokesman said: "It will be treated as a major crime until there is evidence to the contrary." | A police spokesman said: "It will be treated as a major crime until there is evidence to the contrary." |
Police and fire investigation teams have begun a search of the debris for evidence of what caused the fire. | |
It is understood the teams are focussing on a specific area of the site where a body is believed to be buried. | |
The search of the site, which has been reduced to rubble, is expected to take several days. | The search of the site, which has been reduced to rubble, is expected to take several days. |
Scaffolding with screens has been erected to enable the investigation to take place out of public view. | Scaffolding with screens has been erected to enable the investigation to take place out of public view. |
HOTEL FIRE HELPLINE Holdsworth Hotels has set up a helpline for anyone concerned about a friend or relative on 01254 889 900 In pictures: Fire aftermath Boss admits crew shortage Family's shock after fire | HOTEL FIRE HELPLINE Holdsworth Hotels has set up a helpline for anyone concerned about a friend or relative on 01254 889 900 In pictures: Fire aftermath Boss admits crew shortage Family's shock after fire |
Det Ch Insp Darren Lockley, Senior Investigating Officer, said: "We don't know what happened. | Det Ch Insp Darren Lockley, Senior Investigating Officer, said: "We don't know what happened. |
"As part of our working practices we'll treat it as a major crime until we get evidence to the contrary. It's far more difficult to retrace your steps if you discover there is a significant crime that's occurred." | "As part of our working practices we'll treat it as a major crime until we get evidence to the contrary. It's far more difficult to retrace your steps if you discover there is a significant crime that's occurred." |
He said police and fire investigators were trying to establish a timeline of movement of individuals who visited the hotel and the escalation of the fire. | He said police and fire investigators were trying to establish a timeline of movement of individuals who visited the hotel and the escalation of the fire. |
Four people who were taken to the Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro are said to be improving. | Four people who were taken to the Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro are said to be improving. |
One is in a critical but stable condition and three are in a stable condition. | One is in a critical but stable condition and three are in a stable condition. |
Danger of collapse | Danger of collapse |
More than 80 people safely escaped from the building. | More than 80 people safely escaped from the building. |
Police believe the 43-year-old man who died in the fire fell from a second-floor window. He has not yet been named. | Police believe the 43-year-old man who died in the fire fell from a second-floor window. He has not yet been named. |
Specialist demolition crews have already pulled down the precarious upper floors of the hotel, which were in danger of collapse. | Specialist demolition crews have already pulled down the precarious upper floors of the hotel, which were in danger of collapse. |
Cornwall County Council is to review fire cover across the county as a result of the blaze. | Cornwall County Council is to review fire cover across the county as a result of the blaze. |
Council leader David Whalley told BBC News: "When we undertake the investigation we will look very carefully to make sure we provide the fire cover in all areas which is right for those areas." | Council leader David Whalley told BBC News: "When we undertake the investigation we will look very carefully to make sure we provide the fire cover in all areas which is right for those areas." |
This follows a call by the Mayor of Newquay Patrick Lambshead for 24-hour fire cover in the town during the summer months. | This follows a call by the Mayor of Newquay Patrick Lambshead for 24-hour fire cover in the town during the summer months. |
He said the number of people resident in the resort grew from about 20,000 to 100,000 over the three-month period. | He said the number of people resident in the resort grew from about 20,000 to 100,000 over the three-month period. |
Police are appealing for witnesses who were in the hotel between 1900 BST on Saturday and 0100 BST on Sunday to come forward. | Police are appealing for witnesses who were in the hotel between 1900 BST on Saturday and 0100 BST on Sunday to come forward. |
And anyone with any images or video recordings of the fire is asked to contact the police incident room on 08452 777 444, quoting Operation Truck. | And anyone with any images or video recordings of the fire is asked to contact the police incident room on 08452 777 444, quoting Operation Truck. |